Kazmir becoming the ace

[tonypug]

I guess I have to eat some of my own words. I have had serious doubts that Scott Kazmir could become the Rays stopper, the pitcher you turn to when you need to win a game. His most recent starts have shown that he is becoming the ace of the pitching staff. He still throws to many pitches an inning but he is slowly overcoming that.

[raysnbran]

Butcher and Maddon seem to have really messed up Orvella, but they are doing good things with Kazmir and Hendrickson. Mets fans are still gnashing their teeth over that trade, especially now that Zambrano is out for the year

[W_Marone]

I've liked Kazmir since he about last year, when I started watching more D-rays stuff, thus Johnny Gomes, but I definanlty think that the Devil Rays in a few years with Kazmir, Hendrickson, and Edwin Jackson they staff could be alright. This team, barring no major setbacks, will be pretty decent come two years or so.

[tonypug]

Kazmir, Hendrickson and Fossum give the Rays a chance to win every time they start. Walker is showing signs that he can fill the closers role. Little by little the pitching staff is taking shape.

[raysnbran]

Marlins come to town this weekend, and Sunday's game matchup shapes up to be Kazmir versus Dontrelle Willis. Now that is a great duel, if both pitchers bring their A game. As long as Kaz pitches a complete game, we have a chance :crazy

[tonypug]

Marlins come to town this weekend, and Sunday's game matchup shapes up to be Kazmir versus Dontrelle Willis. Now that is a great duel, if both pitchers bring their A game. As long as Kaz pitches a complete game, we have a chance :crazy
Either a complete game or get to where Tyler Walker can come in. Another good start last night goes to waste.

[Mad Guru]

Being as Kazmir has yet to throw a complete game in the majors, I wouldn't be holding your breath. Almost makes you wish Dusty Baker managed the Rays.

[tonypug]

Being as Kazmir has yet to throw a complete game in the majors, I wouldn't be holding your breath. Almost makes you wish Dusty Baker managed the Rays.
Dusty Baker can't manage the Cubs, why would we want him with the Rays?

[Mad Guru]

Dusty Baker can't manage the Cubs, why would we want him with the Rays?

So that he can let Kazmir throw 140 pitch complete games, blow out his arm, and maintain the level of futility the Rays have had the last decade, of course. My point being the Rays should be applauded for not abusing Kazmir, despite not having the most trustworthy bullpen.

[RaysFan]

He pitched super today. :clapping

[tonypug]

He pitched super today. :clapping
Yes he did, and to do it against Dontrelle Willis just added to it. All the Rays starters have performed well recently. Tyler Walker has been doing well also and with Danys Baez struggling in LA the closer's role looks a lot better also.

[Astro]

Either a complete game or get to where Tyler Walker can come in. Another good start last night goes to waste.
Thats exactly what happened...

Kazmir is doing great, if he keeps this up... Cy Young anyone?

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Hello, Kazmir has always been the ace of this team!

Now he is just fullfilling potential!!:clapping
Take that Jose Lima and Omar Minaya!

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I have Kazmir on my fantasy baseball team. He has been the best pitcher on my team so far and I also have Johan Santana as well! I always thought "D-Rays ace" was an oxymoron! Not anymore...

[East Coast Bat Co]

Its great to see him pitching so well. I figured he would end up being a closer in the league, but right now he is looking like a dominant front line starter. I hope he keeps it up.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Is anyone worried about Kazmir's high pitch counts? :o

[Mad Guru]

Is anyone worried about Kazmir's high pitch counts? :o

As I mentioned above, I don't think the Rays are abusing Kazmir's arm. Granted, only Carlos Zambrano has thrown more pitches this year but if you're going to be a strikeout pitcher, you're going to throw a lot of pitches. I think if there was no concern about keeping him healthy and throwing few pitches, Kazmir would have been left in for the 9th yesterday.

There was some thought after his April 20th game that he might be experiencing some elbow problems and he's thrown over 650 pitches since then. You can't yank him after six or seven innings to keep his arm safe. Even if they did do that, there is no guarantee that it would protect Kazmir.

It will be interesting to see if he experiences any decline in performance as the season progresses but I don't expect there to be one.

[brooklynboy]

As we get later into the season...yes

:)

Amazin..Simply Amazin!!!

[tonypug]

He still has a problem finishing an inning quickly. He will get two quick outs on a few pitches and then seems to relax, He will walk a batter go to deep counts and go from 6 or 7 pitches to 20 pitches. It sure has been fun seeing him develop over the last 3 years.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

As I mentioned above, I don't think the Rays are abusing Kazmir's arm. Granted, only Carlos Zambrano has thrown more pitches this year but if you're going to be a strikeout pitcher, you're going to throw a lot of pitches. I think if there was no concern about keeping him healthy and throwing few pitches, Kazmir would have been left in for the 9th yesterday.

There was some thought after his April 20th game that he might be experiencing some elbow problems and he's thrown over 650 pitches since then. You can't yank him after six or seven innings to keep his arm safe. Even if they did do that, there is no guarantee that it would protect Kazmir.

It will be interesting to see if he experiences any decline in performance as the season progresses but I don't expect there to be one.
I just have a gut feeling Kazmir is going to have a "dead arm" period sometime this summer. His fastball will lose some speed and he'll get hammered for a few starts. Hopefully not, though. :o

[tonypug]

I just have a gut feeling Kazmir is going to have a "dead arm" period sometime this summer. His fastball will lose some speed and he'll get hammered for a few starts. Hopefully not, though. :o
Most pitchers go through a deadarrn period during the season. He will be pitching more innings and throwing more pitches then he ever has before. We have to hope the Rays coaching staff recognizes this and eases off a little. So far I think he has been handled well.

[Kastofsna]

if he keeps it up, we're looking at him starting the all-star game!

[TRIPxCORE]

I have been watching Kazmir for a couple years now, keeping an eye on his development. He is getting better & better. It is a joy to watch him striking guys out. Without a doubt he is the Rays ace. He could be the ace for lots of teams already. All star? Sure! Cy Young award? Great possibility! The only thing to worry about is that he is small and he puts a lot of torque on his fastball. He just needs to be handled properly. Who knows what that is though?

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Should I start Kazmir today for my fantasy team? My "gut" tells me Kazmir gets rocked today. He's already beaten the Sox twice in April. However:

1) Manny Ramirez had a bad April, he's hot right now
2) Kazmir is due for a bad start at some point.
3) I have two other starters going today (Linario and N. Roberstson)

Should I bench Kazmir today? :confused:

[Southsider]

That Kazmir kid is looking very good and dominated the Sox when he faced them. He's going to have a bright future.

[SoxSon]

Poor outing tonight, overall, against us. Started out strong, and then fell apart a bit. 8.44 ERA on the game tonight, with a 1.88 WHIP.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

So I guess my gut was right! :D I did end up benching Kazmir tonight.

[tonypug]

Poor outing tonight, overall, against us. Started out strong, and then fell apart a bit. 8.44 ERA on the game tonight, with a 1.88 WHIP.
He did not have his best game tonight. The bullpen continues to hurt the team. The Rays have shown the ability to come back, but every time they put up acouple of runs the bullpen gave them right back.

[tonypug]

With the Rays on a five game loseing streak and Jamie Shields making his first start in a major league game tomorrow night, Scott Kazmir will have to show he can be the stopper thursday night in Baltimore. It will also show how he recovers from a Rockstart against Boston last week.

[SoxSon]

He did not have his best game tonight. The bullpen continues to hurt the team. The Rays have shown the ability to come back, but every time they put up acouple of runs the bullpen gave them right back.

Despite his recent outing, though, Kazmir not only has become Tampa Bay's ace, but he's quickly looking like an ace all around baseball.
You're right...you need some bullpen help. With a couple of good arms in there (and another solid starter), you all are looking pretty strong, despite your unfortunate placement in the AL East.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Looks like Kazmir is going through a slump. He had his third straight bad start tonight.


6.1 IP 9 H, 6 ER, 5 K, 3 BB :(

[tonypug]

Looks like Kazmir is going through a slump. He had his third straight bad start tonight.


6.1 IP 9 H, 6 ER, 5 K, 3 BB :(
Just part of his education as a pitcher.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Just part of his education as a pitcher.
Well tell him to graduate right now!! :grouchy I'm in a dogfight in my fantasy baseball league. :D

[W_Marone]

Hahaha, I tried to get him, but alass someone got him before I could in the draft, this guy is amazing..... He'll be great for years to come is my guess. He IS the ace of this staff, its official.

P.S. Jonny Gomes is the MAN of this team.:D Hahahaha

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Hahaha, I tried to get him, but alass someone got him before I could in the draft, this guy is amazing..... He'll be great for years to come is my guess. He IS the ace of this staff, its official.

P.S. Jonny Gomes is the MAN of this team.:D Hahahaha
I expect Kazmir to adjust pretty quick and get back to his winning ways.

[tonypug]

I expect Kazmir to adjust pretty quick and get back to his winning ways.
Tonight would be a good time to get back on track, in Detroit.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Tonight would be a good time to get back on track, in Detroit.
I'm starting him tonight on my fantasy team. I hope he comes through! :dance

[tonypug]

I'm starting him tonight on my fantasy team. I hope he comes through! :dance
You and the Rays.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Fricking Tyler Walker cost Kamzir, and more importantly me, a win!!!! :grouchy :grouchy

Here is Walker's 9th inning:

Guillen: walk :mad:
Inge: single :mad:
Granderson: single, Guillen scores :mad:
Polanco: single, Inge scores :mad:
I-Rod: K
Ordonez: Fly out
Thames, K

Well, at least The Big Kazoo pitched well. :D

[tonypug]

Fricking Tyler Walker cost Kamzir, and more importantly me, a win!!!! :grouchy :grouchy

Here is Walker's 9th inning:

Guillen: walk :mad:
Inge: single :mad:
Granderson: single, Guillen scores :mad:
Polanco: single, Inge scores :mad:
I-Rod: K
Ordonez: Fly out
Thames, K

Well, at least The Big Kazoo pitched well. :D
Yeah, but there was that craziness with the lights and all. Kazmir pitched well, but the pitch count still mounts up fast on him.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Another strong start for The Big Kazoo yesterday. He beat Phillies, 7-2, and had nine Ks in only 5 IP. :clapping

[W_Marone]

I was at that game, he looked good on the bump.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Kazmir needs a nickname! Any suggestions?

[raysnbran]

Kazmir needs a nickname! Any suggestions?

"Special K" :D

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Another great start for the Big Kazoo!

7.2 IP, 8K, 2 BB, 3 H, and the W!

Keep it going Scotty!

[tonypug]

Another great start for the Big Kazoo!

7.2 IP, 8K, 2 BB, 3 H, and the W!

Keep it going Scotty!
Did you start Kazmir today? The Rays need to move to the National League.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Did you start Kazmir today? The Rays need to move to the National League.
Of course! I've only benched him twice all year, once when he had a bad matchup with the Red Sox (he lost) and once when I had a slim led in losses, ERA, and WHIP and my fantasy opponent had no more starters. Kazmir won that start.

[tonypug]

Of course! I've only benched him twice all year, once when he had a bad matchup with the Red Sox (he lost) and once when I had a slim led in losses, ERA, and WHIP and my fantasy opponent had no more starters. Kazmir won that start.
Keep riding that horse. He has to make the All Star team, right?

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Keep riding that horse. He has to make the All Star team, right?
He should be an All-Star. He's earned it. :clapping

[MetsFan11368]

He should be an All-Star.

Forget about that, he should be a NY Met. I can only imagine how good the Mets would be if was on our current roster. Thanks, Steve. :o

[tonypug]

Forget about that, he should be a NY Met. I can only imagine how good the Mets would be if was on our current roster. Thanks, Steve. :o
He's not, thats in the past and all of us Mets fans should enjoy what we have this year.

[MetsFan11368]

He's not, thats in the past and all of us Mets fans should enjoy what we have this year.

You're right Tony, but, as a Mets fan, "what if" is always in the back of your mind. Too bad Omar wasn't around at the time.

[tonypug]

You're right Tony, but, as a Mets fan, "what if" is always in the back of your mind. Too bad Omar wasn't around at the time.
I know, I have mellowed a bit since coming to Florida.

[raysnbran]

Don't blame "Steve" (I'm assuming you mean Steve Phillips), isn't Jim Duquette the one responsible for the Zambrano-Kazmir deal? I used to be a Mets fan too, as I grew up on Long Island. They are still my favorite NL team.

[tonypug]

Probably the best thing for Kazmir was geting traded to the Rays. They have been able to bring him along slower then the Mets would have. There is a tremendous difference between the stage in New York and Florida. Kazmir may not have been able to handle the pressure in New York had he not been traded.

[tonypug]

Tonight Kazmir celebrated being selected to the American League All Star team by pitching a complete game two hit shutout over the Boston Red Sox.It was the first complete game and shutout in Kazmir's professional career.

[SoxSon]

Tonight Kazmir celebrated being selected to the American League All Star team by pitching a complete game two hit shutout over the Boston Red Sox.It was the first complete game and shutout in Kazmir's professional career.

Unbelievable performance. My hats off to Kazmir. Plus, out of the mere 2 hits that he did give up, only one could be considered "genuine." The other, by Gonzalez, was a mistake swing that just blooped in.

[tonypug]

Unbelievable performance. My hats off to Kazmir. Plus, out of the mere 2 hits that he did give up, only one could be considered "genuine." The other, by Gonzalez, was a mistake swing that just blooped in.
I now dread the rest of the series. The Sox are do for an explosion.

[raysnbran]

By far, his best game ever in a Rays uniform. And to do it in front of all those cheering Red Sox fans at Tropicana Field, no less! ;) Complete domination, certainly justifying his selection to the team, probably for years to come...

Schilling today against former Sox, Casey Fossum :gt He's 2-1 against the Rays this year, and it will take another great effort to beat the best team in the AL East.

[SoxSon]

I now dread the rest of the series. The Sox are do for an explosion.

Who knows? Boston was on quite a roll for a while there...maybe now's the time they drop down dead. ;)

Fossum has solid numbers against Boston, so we'll see very soon whether that offense can be contained a second day in a row.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

The Big Kazoo rocks!!! Can we say, D-Rays' pitcher, 20 game winner?!!! :D

[tonypug]

The Big Kazoo rocks!!! Can we say, D-Rays' pitcher, 20 game winner?!!! :D
I guess you started him again in your fantasy league.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I guess you started him again in your fantasy league.
Of course!!!! :D I've only benched him twice all season...

[tonypug]

Of course!!!! :D I've only benched him twice all season...
You didn't start him against the Red Sox last time.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

You didn't start him against the Red Sox last time.
I benched Kamir in late May when the Red Sox beat him. The only other time I benched him was when I was leading my opponent in wins, ERA, and WHIP going into the last day. I didn't need Kazmir's start. See post #24.